Insight

It comes as something of a surprise to read pronouncements by some conservative gurus in the pages of mainstream newspapers such as the New York Times that “Obamacare is the principal cause of the economic recession and the U.S. debt crisis.”

That’s curious. Didn’t the debt problem begin under President George W. Bush in 2001-2008? Didn’t the economic recession begin in late 2007, and didn’t President Obama take office afterward in January 2009?

In addition to saving Social Security and Medicare, the long-term U.S. national debt crisis is also solvable.

Every good businessman knows that in tough economic times it is necessary to reduce wasteful spending, but do so without cutting quality of product. At the same time, it is necessary to mobilize all sources of credit and income. In government, this means reducing waste, protecting important social benefits and generating equitable tax income.

Aren’t we making undue heavy weather over the alleged solvency or insolvency of Social Security, Medicare and the nation? Are we not overlooking the obvious? Let’s have a closer look at the facts, and apply a few principles of democratic equity and fairness.
Social Security, introduced under FDR in 1935, fiercely defended by Eisenhower in 1956 and declared a sacred trust by Obama in 2011, is fully solvent, “in the black,” now and for two decades to come, even if we don’t tweak it.
Yes, we could raise the retirement age above 65; that’s a discussion worth having on its own merits.

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Aren’t we making undue heavy weather over the alleged solvency or insolvency of Social Security, Medicare and the nation? Are we not overlooking the obvious? Let’s have a closer look at the facts, and apply a few principles of democratic equity and fairness.

Social Security, introduced under FDR in 1935, fiercely defended by Eisenhower in 1956 and declared a sacred trust by Obama in 2011, is fully solvent, “in the black,” now and for two decades to come, even if we don’t tweak it.

Yes, we could raise the retirement age above 65; that’s a discussion worth having on its own merits.

According to a recent report of the Washington-based Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS), China controls approximately 97 percent of the world’s rare earth elements market. Some 3 percent is controlled by a handful of other countries, such as Australia, India, Malaysia and Russia. The U.S. share is perilously close to zero. Should we be worried? What’s the problem? What’s the solution?

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According to a recent report of the Washington-based Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS), China controls approximately 97 percent of the world’s rare earth elements market. Some 3 percent is controlled by a handful of other countries, such as Australia, India, Malaysia and Russia. The U.S. share is perilously close to zero. Should we be worried? What’s the problem? What’s the solution?

In recent weeks the David Horowitz Freedom Center has been placing half- and full-page advertisements in the mainstream U.S. press including the New York Times under such titles as “The Palestinians’ Case Against Israel is Based on a Genocidal Lie.” The ads continue: “The Palestinian Authority on the West Bank and the Hamas Government of Gaza both claim that Israel is ‘Occupied Palestine.’ This is a lie.”

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Now that two lower courts have ruled in favor of the constitutionality of the individual “mandate” (requirement) provision of the Affordable Health Care Act, and two other courts have ruled against it, the question now goes to the U.S. Supreme Court, but not on the “fast track” for immediate resolution. What are the issues, and what is the likely outcome?

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At a political event in Connecticut, participants were confronted by a demonstrator bearing a sign admonishing us all to “Read the Constitution!” One could hardly disagree. So I asked her whether she, herself, had actually read the document. She replied, “No, I haven’t, but people should.” Right on.
Another demonstrator carried a sign calling for “Tort Reform Now!” No doubt we could use some reform, but what, I asked, is a “tort”? He didn’t know, but like he said, “Whatever it is, it needs reform.” Right again.
Didn’t we conclude a long war over this very issue 150 years ago?

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At a political event in Connecticut, participants were confronted by a demonstrator bearing a sign admonishing us all to “Read the Constitution!” One could hardly disagree. So I asked her whether she, herself, had actually read the document. She replied, “No, I haven’t, but people should.” Right on.
Another demonstrator carried a sign calling for “Tort Reform Now!” No doubt we could use some reform, but what, I asked, is a “tort”? He didn’t know, but like he said, “Whatever it is, it needs reform.” Right again.

Once you've created an account, you will be given a free 30-day subscription to the site where you can view all content unrestricted. After 30 days, you can extend your account by purchasing a subscription.

If you are already a print subscriber, click here to give us your contact information, and we will confirm your active subscription and give you a password to access the website.